Description
A vibrant and flavorful one-pan Mediterranean chicken dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a creamy roasted red pepper sauce, enriched with garlic, Italian seasoning, and optional feta cheese and fresh basil for an added burst of flavor. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
- 4 tablespoons oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- ⅔ cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
- Thinly sliced fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Combine the roasted red peppers, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Cook the Chicken: Grease a large skillet and season the chicken thighs with the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken over medium heat for 8 minutes per side until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep it warm on a plate covered with foil.
- Heat the Sauce: Pour the red pepper mixture into the same skillet and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Finish the Sauce: Add heavy cream to the pan and stir continuously until the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and coat it well with the creamy red pepper sauce by gently tossing it together.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil over the chicken before serving to add fresh flavor and a Mediterranean touch.
Notes
- This recipe can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Use either boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts according to preference; thighs tend to be juicier.
- Roasted red peppers can be store-bought jarred peppers drained well or homemade for deeper flavor.
- Feta cheese and fresh basil are optional but highly recommended to enhance the Mediterranean flavor profile.
- To make the dish lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a light cream alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 613 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 962 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg
